The air trembled.
Not from wind.
Not from footsteps.
From power.
My aura spread across the Low Iron District like a rising tide, pressing down on everything in its path. Broken bodies littered the street behind me. Black Fang's soldiers lay scattered, defeated in moments.
Only two figures still stood.
Kang Yu.
And Lord Ren.
The system panel hovered before me.
[DING!]
Rank Advancement Complete.
Name: Zhang Wei
Rank: Commander
Power: 312
Titles:
– Fear Incarnate
– Outer Domain Enforcer
– City Tyrant (Uncrowned)
Combat multiplier active.
I exhaled slowly.
Commander Rank.
The threshold between elites and true rulers.
Lord Ren's gaze darkened as he studied me.
"So you broke through," he said quietly.
There was no surprise in his voice.
Only irritation.
Kang Yu stepped back instinctively, creating space between us.
Smart.
He knew what was coming.
Lord Ren rolled his shoulders once.
A heavy aura erupted from his body.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
Shops along the street shattered.
This was real Commander pressure.
Dense.
Oppressive.
Unforgiving.
The system chimed.
[DING!]
High-level Commander detected.
Opponent power: Superior.
Recommended strategy:
Continuous combat growth and decisive domination.
I smiled faintly.
"That's the plan."
Lord Ren moved.
No warning.
No buildup.
Just pure speed.
He appeared in front of me, fist descending like a falling mountain.
I raised my arm.
Impact.
The street exploded beneath us.
Shockwaves tore through nearby buildings.
My feet sank into the stone.
Power surged through my bones.
Pain.
Real pain.
He was strong.
Stronger than anyone I had faced before.
Lord Ren's lips curled.
"You're not the only one who grows," he said.
He struck again.
Faster.
Harder.
I dodged sideways, Shadow Step activating.
He followed instantly.
Our fists collided again.
Another shockwave.
Dust filled the air.
The system pulsed rapidly.
[DING!]
High-intensity Commander combat detected.
Adaptive Growth Overdrive activated.
Power increasing…
Heat surged through my body.
My muscles tightened.
My aura flared brighter.
I stepped forward.
This time, I attacked.
My fist drove into his ribs.
Lord Ren grunted.
A small sound.
But real.
He stepped back.
For the first time.
His eyes narrowed.
"So it's true," he murmured.
"You feed on pressure."
I didn't answer.
I attacked again.
Punch.
Kick.
Elbow.
Every strike carried domination.
Lord Ren blocked most.
But not all.
A kick landed on his shoulder.
Bone cracked.
He retaliated instantly.
His palm struck my chest.
Air exploded from my lungs.
I was thrown backward through a wall.
Stone collapsed around me.
Pain burned through my body.
The system chimed.
[DING!]
Severe impact detected.
Adaptive growth spike.
Power +18.
I stood up slowly.
Blood trickled from my lips.
I wiped it away.
Then smiled.
"Good," I said.
Lord Ren's eyes sharpened.
"You're insane," he muttered.
I vanished.
Shadow Step chained repeatedly.
Left.
Right.
Above.
My strikes came from every direction.
Lord Ren roared and unleashed a burst of aura.
The shockwave forced me back.
He stepped forward, raising his fist.
"Enough games," he growled.
Energy gathered around his arm.
Dense.
Crushing.
A finishing strike.
The system pulsed violently.
[DING!]
Lethal attack detected.
Extreme Domination condition available.
Success probability: 42%
Reward:
Major growth surge.
Accept risk?
I smiled.
"Yes."
Lord Ren's fist descended.
I stepped forward.
Not back.
Forward.
Our attacks collided.
The world seemed to stop.
Then—
Explosion.
Stone shattered.
The street collapsed beneath us.
A crater formed.
Dust filled the air.
Silence followed.
When the dust settled—
Lord Ren was on one knee.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
His eyes widened slightly.
Impossible.
He looked up at me.
I stood above him.
Breathing hard.
But standing.
The system chimed.
[DING!]
Extreme Domination Successful.
Power surge complete.
Rank stabilization achieved.
New status unlocked.
Name: Zhang Wei
Rank: Commander
Power: 368
Status: Ruler-Class Commander
Lord Ren tried to rise.
I stepped forward.
My foot pressed against his shoulder.
He couldn't move.
The entire district was silent.
Kang Yu stared in disbelief.
Black Fang's leader—
Pinned.
Lord Ren clenched his teeth.
"This… isn't over," he growled.
I leaned down slightly.
"It is," I said calmly.
I lifted my foot.
He collapsed.
Unconscious.
The system pulsed one last time.
[DING!]
Major faction leader defeated.
Black Fang authority broken.
Territory Control: Expanded.
Reputation Surge: Massive.
New Title Unlocked.
Title:
Blackstone Tyrant
Effect:
All enemies within Blackstone City suffer heavy intimidation.
Power +25.
I looked around the district.
People slowly emerged from their homes.
Eyes wide.
Expressions stunned.
Fear.
Respect.
Submission.
Blackstone City had its answer.
And it stood right here.
I turned toward the city center.
"This is just the beginning," I murmured.
Because now—
The entire city belonged to me.